Ransomware and Your Business

Ransomware attacks are on the increase. An estimated 5% of global small-to-medium sized businesses (SMBs) fell victim to ransomware in 2016-2017.

Experts agree that the first – and therefore most important – line of defense against ransomware is user awareness and education. Ransomware does not just appear out of the blue. For the virus to be successfully activated, some form of user interaction is required. It could arrive through phishing emails or through fraudulent websites. But it always relies on an unwitting partner to help it along.

Ensure that all your employees have the ability to recognize suspicious emails or questionable links to other websites. They should always be doubly suspicious of unsolicited email attachments.

Any ransomware training that your business implements should also include the following information:

• How to recognize the most common signs of a ransomware attack.

• How to recognize an attempted phishing attack.

• The importance of installing the suggested software updates and security patches.

• The importance of regularly updating passwords and how password managers can help them create and maintain secure passwords.

• How to secure any mobile device that may be used for business purposes.

• Why they should never use a thumb drive when they aren’t sure of its origin.

• How to use public Wi-Fi safely.

• The impact a ransomware infection could have on the entire organization, and the effect it could have on them.

• The impact of ransomware on regulations specific to your industry, say HIPPA or SOX.

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